Storm damage: 'Wrong kind of wind' blamed by energy bosses for blackout that left thousands without power for a week by Storm Arwen

Energy bosses caused utter disbelief from customers and the public by blaming power outages that left thousands without any power for over a week on wind that came from the 'wrong direction'.

Hundreds of homes and businesses remained without power again yesterday in the wake of Barra just as properties were finally reconnected after Storm Arwen 12 days ago.

Around 1,000 customers were taken off the grid on Wednesday morning because of disruption caused by the second winter storm of the season, Storm Barra.

The Energy Networks Association's Paul McGimpsey told the Commons business, energy and industrial strategy committee that the wind coming from the North East meant that in many cases ‘trees would fall differently on to the lines’ than expected and caused greater disruption than expected.

The suggestion that Arwen’s north-easterly gales caused more damage because of the south-westerly wind stunned MPs, who said power networks should be ‘prepared for wind coming in multiple directions’.

Committee chairman Darren Jones was in disbelief at the suggestion that networks might base plans on wind that only came in from one ‘certain direction’.

Mr McGimpsey said this was not the case but wind direction was a ‘particular issue’ in the case of Arwen.

Almost one million homes in the North of England, Wales and Scotland were blacked out after Arwen.

The last few hundred in north-east England were only finally reconnected yesterday.

Shadow environment secretary Jim McMahon pressed the Government on its response to Storm Arwen, arguing that while ministers were “defending a dodgy Christmas party”, hardworking people in the North of England “couldn’t even turn on the Christmas lights”.